Utah Native is Petco's 'Unsung Hero' Helping Nuzzles & Co. to Rescue Dogs at Navajo Nation

PARK CITY, Utah, May 12, 2020 (Newswire.com) - ​​Darrell McCurtain, intake director at Nuzzles & Co. Pet Rescue and Adoption, is one of five finalists for the Petco Foundation’s national Unsung Hero award.

The Petco Foundation and Victoria Stilwell are honoring five Unsung Heroes for their extraordinary, lifesaving efforts on behalf of animals with a $10,000 grant award for their animal welfare organization. One honoree will be awarded the national Unsung Hero award by Petco Foundation and earn an additional $50,000 to support their lifesaving work.

Animal lovers across the nation will select the national awardee through popular vote. Watch McCurtain’s story and vote here. Voting closes on Friday, May 15, 2020, at 11 a.m. MST. 

McCurtain, a member of the Navajo tribe, works to improve the conditions for pets on the reservations by working with the Navajo Nation, Ute Ouray Nation, Ute Mountain Nation and the Confederated Tribes of the Goshute. 

“Because Darrell set this program up in 2014, we have the opportunity to help pets on the reservations,” said Jamie Usry, executive director of Nuzzles & Co. “Darrell is inspiring and that’s contagious. We are forever indebted to him for having the foresight to create this program. He has literally saved thousands of pet lives.” 

The Unsung Hero honorees go above and beyond saving animals. They are local heroes who share the Petco Foundation’s goal to create a lifesaving nation. Their inspiring stories prove the difference that one person can make toward creating a better world for pets.

“There are heroes in every community who dedicate their lives to helping animals and are true lifesaving champions,” said Susanne Kogut, president of the Petco Foundation. “Honoring these extraordinary people and telling their stories is our way of saying, ‘thank you.’ Perhaps these stories will inspire others to be heroes too.” 

Victoria Stilwell traveled across the country documenting the lifesaving work of these heroes in a series of videos that can be viewed at petcofoundation.org/unsung-heroes.

About Nuzzles & Co. Pet Rescue and Adoption. A private, non-profit 501(c)(3) no-kill organization located in Summit County, Utah. Founded in 1990 we have found homes for more than 20,000 pets. Our mission is to protect animals by providing a dedicated, nurturing place where animals can become healthy, learn positive behaviors and ultimately, find loving homes. We also work to educate people on the humane treatment of animals. To learn more, visit nuzzlesandco.org. 

About the Petco Foundation At the Petco Foundation, we believe that every animal deserves to live its best life. Since 1999, we’ve invested more than $260 million in lifesaving animal welfare work to make that happen. Visit petcofoundation.org to learn more. 

Source: Nuzzles & Co. Pet Rescue and Adoption